Roanoke, VA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Sidewalk/crosswalk parking
- Prohibited at all times
- Driveway clearance
- 5 feet in any direction
- Fire hydrant clearance
- 15 feet
- Corner clearance
- 20 feet from curb-line intersection
- Max fine
- $200 traffic infraction
Summary
City Code § 20-65 bars parking on sidewalks, within 5 feet of a driveway, in intersections, within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, within 20 feet of a corner, or anywhere it blocks traffic; violations are a traffic infraction fined up to $200 under § 20-1.
(a)General provisions. No person shall park or leave standing a motor vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places:(1)On or upon a sidewalk...or in or on a pedestrian crosswalk or safety zone.(2)On a highway or street within five (5) feet in any direction of a public or private driveway.(3)Within an intersection.(4)Within fifteen (15) feet of a fire hydrant, whether on public or private property, or the entrance to a building housing rescue squad equipment or ambulances...(5)Within twenty (20) feet of an intersection of curb lines, or, if no curb, then within fifteen (15) feet of the intersection of property lines at an intersection of highways...(7)Any location upon a street or highway where the orderly and lawful passage of other traffic will be blocked or obstructed.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 20-65(a) lists sixteen specific places where Roanoke bans leaving a motor vehicle standing, unless a police officer or traffic-control device directs otherwise. The most commonly cited: sidewalks, medians, crosswalks and safety zones (subd. 1); within five feet of a public or private driveway (subd. 2); inside an intersection (subd. 3); within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or a rescue-squad or ambulance building entrance (subd. 4); within 20 feet of a curb-line intersection, or 15 feet of a property-line intersection where there's no curb (subd.
5); on the roadway side of an already-parked vehicle (subd. 6); and any spot that blocks the orderly passage of other traffic (subd. 7). The section also bars parking in a designated loading zone except for active loading or unloading (subd. 8), in a bus stop or taxi stand (subd. 9), on a bridge or railroad-crossing approach (subd. 10), within 500 feet of stopped fire apparatus (subd. 12), in front of a church, theater or public building during services or performances except by permit or during weddings and funerals (subd.
13), anywhere posted "no parking" (subds. 14-15), and in a street-cleaning zone (subd. 16). Beyond where a car may sit, Sec. 20-67 separately requires wheels within 12 inches of the curb, at least 4 feet between parked cars, and bars leaving any vehicle standing on a highway more than 48 consecutive hours.
Violations & Fines
Parking in a prohibited spot is a traffic infraction under the chapter's general penalty, Sec. 20-1, punishable by a fine of up to $200. Roanoke police or authorized enforcement personnel may also mark or ticket a vehicle, and a car left illegally, particularly one blocking a hydrant, intersection or fire lane, can be towed at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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